The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said that it has arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British woman, after operatives uncovered 13 kilogrammes of cocaine ingeniously concealed inside fake plantain peels packed among food items in her luggage at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The suspect, a caregiver based in the United Kingdom, was apprehended at the departure hall of Terminal 2 while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London on June 28, 2026.
According to the agency, in a statement on Sunday, a detailed search of her luggage led to the recovery of 31 large wraps of cocaine, carefully packaged to resemble the hands of plantain, with a combined weight of 13 kilogrammes.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly admitted ownership of the illicit consignment.
In another operation, the NDLEA operatives dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate linked to a shipment destined for Kuala Lumpur, arresting a 45-year-old PhD student at the University of Putra Malaysia in Ekwusigo Local Government Area.
His arrest followed the interception of 36 parcels of cocaine weighing 5.8 kilogrammes, concealed inside the walls of nine cartons of Orijin Bitters intended for export to Malaysia.
Investigators had earlier arrested four suspects in Lagos State during the investigation. They include a cargo agent, a driver, a trader who handed over the consignment, and Igwilo Chidi Henry, accused of supplying the cartons used to conceal the cocaine.
The agency said intelligence gathered from the suspects eventually led operatives to Onyeka, who was arrested while hiding in his hometown of Aziora, Ozubulu, in Anambra State. NDLEA identified him as the alleged leader of the trafficking syndicate.
In Taraba State, the NDLEA operatives arrested a 30-year-old along the Zaki-Biam Road in the Wukari Local Government Area after discovering 43,980 capsules of tramadol hidden inside two vehicle fuel tanks.
The suspect was intercepted on July 4 while travelling from Onitsha, following actionable intelligence.
In Kaduna State, operatives arrested two suspects during a raid in Gwantu Local Government Area on July 2, recovering 1.7 kilogrammes of methamphetamine.
Another suspect was arrested in Ikwo on July 4 with 231.7 kilogrammes of skunk, while a 75-year-old was apprehended in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area on July 3 with 15 kilogrammes of skunk.
In Gombe State, the NDLEA officers, acting on intelligence, arrested two suspects at Kuri village in the Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area on July 1.
The duo was found with 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 556 kilograms, according to the agency.
Beyond enforcement operations, the NDLEA said its commands across the country sustained the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign through sensitisation programmes in schools, workplaces, worship centres and communities.
The agency said awareness lectures were held at Girls Secondary School, Abagana in Anambra State, Government Technical College, Obe in Enugu State, Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu Ode in Ogun State, and FCE Staff Demonstration School, Kabuga in Kano State, among other institutions.
Commending officers of the MMIA, Taraba, Kaduna, Ebonyi, and Gombe commands for the successful operations, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, praised their efforts in reducing drug supply while sustaining public sensitisation campaigns.
Marwa urged officers across the country to maintain the momentum and continue raising the agency’s operational standards in the fight against illicit drug trafficking.